The sad story of former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball player Darius Miles took another turn this week when prosecutors revealed that star Tide freshman Brandon Miller made contact with Miles the night that Jamea Harris was shot and killed and allegedly even brought the gun that was used. However, perhaps even more shocking were the comments by head coach Nate Oats afterward.
At Miles’ hearing on Tuesday, police officers testified that Miller brought Miles the gun that defendant Michael Davis allegedly used to kill Harris.
That’s a pretty astounding piece of new information. When asked by reporters, Oats admitted that he and the school were already aware of this and tried to downplay the importance of the information.
“We’ve known the situation since [it happened],” Oats said. “We’ve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. The whole situation is sad. The team closed practice with a prayer for the situation today, knowing that we had this trial today. We think of Jamea and her family, Kaine. Really think about her son, Kaine, that was left behind. So it’s sad.
“We knew about that. Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out, Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.”
Tuscaloosa chief deputy D.A. Paula Whitley told AL.com that Miller wasn’t charged because “There’s nothing we could charge with him according to the law.”
Miller is an extremely talented freshman player who has started every game for Alabama this season. He is widely presumed to go pro after the season and has been projected as a lottery pick by many.
“I’m sure NBA scouts will ask,” Oats said. “They do their homework. I think the article that it came out in also stated that Brandon has been interviewed and they’re comfortable with everything that happened there.”
As for Miles, he remains on trial for capital murder.
